This Sunday, January 7, 2024 we celebrate the Feast of the Synaxis of St. John the Baptist, one of the most beloved saints of the Orthodox Church. St. John was an uncompromising and controversial figure who lived at a time of political corruption, oppression of the poor and abuse of religious power. Almighty God inspired him to lift up a voice of judgement to those unwilling to heed God’s call, because of his role in preparing for the coming of Christ.
It says in St. Matthew 11:11 that John the Baptist is greater than any man who has ever lived. He was the greatest Old Testament Prophet and has been afforded the title of The Forerunner. He was also the person who had the unique privilege of baptizing Christ. It is because of this that we, during this Festal Christmas Season, celebrate his Synaxis, which means a liturgical gathering of the faithful in honor of a saint; in this case, John the Baptist, who “fought as a Martyr for the sake of truth and gladly proclaimed the Good News to those in Hades”.
Let us make straight our path affirming our faith in Christ Jesus, embracing God’s love and forgiveness with all our hearts, experiencing the spiritual Light shining through Christ to the world.
